31 



fully, his high spirit unsubdued, with crest erect and di- 

 lated nostrils — and observed his proud bearing and flashing 

 eyes, he might have termed this equine prodigy the wraith 

 of the matchless Bucephalus, the pride of Alexander the 

 Great of Macedonia. Truly he was a picture, such as is suf- 

 ficient at any time to gladden the heart of every true lover of 

 the turf and its horses. 



The first heat was a dead one between Grey Medoc and 

 Altorf ; time, 7:35. In the second heat there was also a 

 struggle between these two monarchs of the land of racing — 

 Grey Medoc and Altorf — but the latter won by less than a 

 head ; time, 8:19. 



But Altorf was tiring and in the third trial Grey Medoc 

 easily beat Altorf, although it is said the latter was laying up 

 and not trying for this heat, leaving it to the other two. The 

 time was 7:42. 



The result of this heat entitled but two to start for the 

 fourth heat, Denizen being declared distanced for not having 

 won a heat in three. He was withdrawn and sent to the 

 stable, to the regret of every one. 



But Grey Medoc and Altorf were apparently fresh and 

 full of fire. They were off together, running easily side by 

 side for the two first miles ; but Grey Medoc was seemingly 

 winning easily. Then there came a hush over the vast as- 

 semblage. Altorf, who had made such a gallant struggle, 

 had run his race. He was poor in flesh and he could not 

 stand the awful strain. Lawson, the rider of Altorf, plied 

 whip and spur and urged the splendid animal to his utmost. 

 But his bolt had been shot and Grey Medoc was his master. 

 John Ford, who had the mount on Grey Medoc, made a mas- 

 terful effort. It was due to his skill and management of the 

 horse under him that enabled him to win, and the public 

 seemed to feel this fact. Chiffeny and Robertson could have 

 done no better, and this piece of work stamped him as their 

 equal. 



Coming out of the grand stand Ford was met by hun- 

 dreds of people who had wagered their money on Grey 

 Medoc, and they filled his hat with bank notes. There were 

 seven or eight thousand dollars in the pile when he made 

 his way home. In those days owners divided the purse with 

 the trainer and the stable boys. The race was the talk of the 



